2005 El Alma de Jonata

The 2005 El Alma de Jonata is a blend of 95% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. One of the greatest Cabernet Francs to emerge from California, it boasts gorgeous notes of bay leaf interwoven with blueberries, black currants, licorice, flowers, and subtle smoke. A wine of exquisite precision, outstanding richness, astonishing elegance as well as finesse, this is a brilliant achievement that must be tasted to be believed. As the wine sits in the glass, a notion of lead pencil shavings (graphite) also emerges. Drink this beauty over the next decade. It appears 2006 has produced slightly lighter, but high-class wines without the weight and power of the 2005s. The Syrah, Sauvignon Blanc, and Cabernet Franc are especially noteworthy. The only wine that did not excite me was a non-vintage blend of 81% sweet botrytised Semillon and 19% Sauvignon Blanc. A combination of 2004, 2005, and 2006, the La Miel de Jonata was decidedly monolithic and one-dimensional compared to the other brilliant wines from this spectacular new producer in the Santa Ynez Valley. Fasten your seatbelts as these wines will give purchasers a serious ride for their money! Tel. (805) 564-8581

The 2005 El Alma de Jonata is a blend of 95% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. One of the greatest Cabernet Francs to emerge from California, it boasts gorgeous notes of bay leaf interwoven with blueberries, black currants, licorice, flowers, and subtle smoke. A wine of exquisite precision, outstanding richness, astonishing elegance as well as finesse, this is a brilliant achievement that must be tasted to be believed. As the wine sits in the glass, a notion of lead pencil shavings (graphite) also emerges. Drink this beauty over the next decade. Aug 2007, www.robertparker.com